The North McCullough Wilderness occupies the southern and western half of the conservation area — about 17,000 acres of steep canyons, ridges, and unsigned routes leading up onto the McCullough Range. It is the wildest land within easy reach of Las Vegas: no signed trails, no rangers, no shade, and no water sources you can rely on.
Routes generally follow drainages up onto the divide and then onto Black Mountain or other unnamed peaks. Bighorn sheep and desert tortoise live throughout the wilderness; you are more likely to see sign than animal. This is a place for experienced desert hikers with map, compass, GPS, and enough water for a long, hot day. The pay-off is genuine solitude an hour from the Strip.